5,000 devotees flocked Taal Fluvial Parade

San Nicolas, Batangas--More than 5,000 Marian devotees attended the Taal Lake Marian Reggata  to commemorate the birthday of the Virgin Mary in a four-hour fluvial procession led by  Batangas Gov. Vilma Santos-Recto around Taal Lake, with  about 40 colorful floats and 300 boats carrying an image of the Virgin Mary.

Batangas firts Taal Lake-wide fluvial parade will soon be an annual event.

  “We had to move slowly because the waves were high,” Gov. Vi said, "It’s our first time to hold this kind of event and we’re planning to make it an annual activity.”

   The governor led the procession together with other provincial officials and mayors of the towns and cities around the lake.

   Regal Films matriarch Mother Lily Monteverde's boat stopped midway. Luckily, the Philippine Red Cross Team came to their rescue and took her to the governor's float.  Mother Lily sat beside Vilma at the lead float throughout the rest of the procession.

At the first Taal Lake-wide fluvial parade, 300 boats from different towns and cities
around the  lake joined in, carrying their own replica of the Blessed Virgin Mary

  In his homily, Archbishop  Ramon Arguelles said this fluvial procession's theme Taal Lake Marian Regatta for Peace, Family, Life and Environment is also about protecting the heart of Batangas province which is the Taal Lake.

   In her speech, Governor Vi thanked the Blessed Virgin for guiding the province and protecting the people from the recent natural and man-made disasters.

  Aside from the prayers and religious rites, DepEd and Marian  Choral Concert held their cultural presentations to the awed audience.

  The ceremonial lighting of the floating lanterns capped the event. (Mei Magsino)